The theme of these learning resources is the ability to utilize natural resources by our peculiar species, Homo sapiens. My section of our Human Survival unit discusses the selective advantages of humans, and how we've utilized our intellect and cooperative abilities to use water and produce food and energy for an ever-increasing population. Invention and use of technology has allowed our population to increase incredibly, and in an astoundingly short period of time. From our evolution from early mammals and pre-humans to colonizing every continent and the tidepools of space, the humanimal has proven remarkably capable of adapting and surviving.
Text-based Informational (5)
Human Water Use (930L)
This wikibooks text describes human water uses and issues of water availability. The article explores waterways as means for food and energy productions, and problems with water use and availability in the Western United states. Uses discussed include aquaculture, agriculture and industrial, household and recreational uses, and environmental importance of water sources.
The Big History Project is an excellent collection of videos, texts, and resources that give students the ultimate 'Big Picture'.
BH 6 - Collective Learning(1740L) This video and text gives a brief overview of the stages between unicellular and multicellular life, and the complexity that collective learning has been able to add. Increased brain power is not unique to humans, but humans utilize information in unique and powerful ways. The text discusses anthropological discoveries of other hominids, and studies on the transmission of tool-making skills between old and young tribal humans. The use of language as a means of collecting information is also discussed.
BH 7 - Agriculture (1550L)
Using the Epic of Gilgamesh as a theme, this video and article explores the development of agriculture among early human societies. The article explains how increased food production generated the need and means for producing more advanced bookkeeping, writing, and political structures.
(1140L)
This text describes the lifestyle of early and modern foraging communities. Human adaptations to cooking food, both social and physical, are discussed. The text also cites archaeological and anthropological evidence that early foraging communities were egalitarian cooperatives that provided adequate nutrition and enriching social climates.
This is a data set from the USDA that categorizes US land use by state and region. Land usage is divided into cropland, grassland/pasture, forest, special-use, urban, and miscellaneous. Students can use these data to explore food production in the US. Students can graphically represent land uses in their home state, or identify which US regions produce the most food or which have the most land designated for forest use. Data from 2007.
Web-based informational (5) PBS Humans vs Neanderthals (Video)
This video takes students back to a world not dominated by a single hominid, and shows some fossil evidence describing Homo neanderthalensis. The video also explores why we humans have been so successful.
NOVA Food is Fuel (Video) This video from NOVA explores the energy stored in the food we eat. A discussion about the amount of energy stored in a rat (or cupcake) at any one time versus the amount of energy to grow or produce it is a good introduction to trophic levels and ecological energy flow. This video could also be used as an introduction (or review) of the basic molecule classes found in foods.
Global Water Distribution
This interactive infographic is well-suited to an anticipation guide or conversation where students estimate amounts and types of water available on the Ocean Planet. Also includes a data table that students could use in a graphing/modeling exercise.
Sagan Series - The Humans
An excellent, short video clip narrated by Carl Sagan about humans. Discusses human history, technology and development, and gives a look at humans from the cosmic perspective. Good for hooking, closing, or just giving perspective to the class.
Creationism and Evolution
Infographic based on 2012 Gallup Poll survey about Creationism and Evolution views related to education, political party, and church attendance. Selected others (5)
LiveBinders
LiveBinders is an excellent online resource for finding, gathering, and organizing online resources. Accounts are free, and provide access to a plethora of online collections for every subject and grade level -- and even outside academia. A great resource for teachers who don't have time to re-invent the wheel or seek what has already been found.
Google Docs
Students will use Google Docs to collect class data and allow collaboration between group members. Google Docs will also used for producing mini-reports for Project J.
Educate WV Project-Based Learning Directory
A resource for teachers looking for project-based learning resources in the sciences. Provides handouts, rubrics, lesson and project activities, all aligned with standards.
Survey Monkey
Allows simple formative or summative assessment and familiarized students with computer-based questions.
Create-a-Graph
Browser-based graphing utility that allows students to quickly and easily produce and share report-quality graphs.
The theme of these learning resources is the ability to utilize natural resources by our peculiar species, Homo sapiens. My section of our Human Survival unit discusses the selective advantages of humans, and how we've utilized our intellect and cooperative abilities to use water and produce food and energy for an ever-increasing population. Invention and use of technology has allowed our population to increase incredibly, and in an astoundingly short period of time. From our evolution from early mammals and pre-humans to colonizing every continent and the tidepools of space, the humanimal has proven remarkably capable of adapting and surviving.
Text-based Informational (5)
Human Water Use (930L)
This wikibooks text describes human water uses and issues of water availability. The article explores waterways as means for food and energy productions, and problems with water use and availability in the Western United states. Uses discussed include aquaculture, agriculture and industrial, household and recreational uses, and environmental importance of water sources.
The Big History Project is an excellent collection of videos, texts, and resources that give students the ultimate 'Big Picture'.
BH 6 - Collective Learning(1740L)
This video and text gives a brief overview of the stages between unicellular and multicellular life, and the complexity that collective learning has been able to add. Increased brain power is not unique to humans, but humans utilize information in unique and powerful ways. The text discusses anthropological discoveries of other hominids, and studies on the transmission of tool-making skills between old and young tribal humans. The use of language as a means of collecting information is also discussed.
BH 7 - Agriculture (1550L)
Using the Epic of Gilgamesh as a theme, this video and article explores the development of agriculture among early human societies. The article explains how increased food production generated the need and means for producing more advanced bookkeeping, writing, and political structures.
This text describes the lifestyle of early and modern foraging communities. Human adaptations to cooking food, both social and physical, are discussed. The text also cites archaeological and anthropological evidence that early foraging communities were egalitarian cooperatives that provided adequate nutrition and enriching social climates.
This is a data set from the USDA that categorizes US land use by state and region. Land usage is divided into cropland, grassland/pasture, forest, special-use, urban, and miscellaneous. Students can use these data to explore food production in the US. Students can graphically represent land uses in their home state, or identify which US regions produce the most food or which have the most land designated for forest use. Data from 2007.
Web-based informational (5)
PBS Humans vs Neanderthals (Video)
This video takes students back to a world not dominated by a single hominid, and shows some fossil evidence describing Homo neanderthalensis. The video also explores why we humans have been so successful.
NOVA Food is Fuel (Video)
This video from NOVA explores the energy stored in the food we eat. A discussion about the amount of energy stored in a rat (or cupcake) at any one time versus the amount of energy to grow or produce it is a good introduction to trophic levels and ecological energy flow. This video could also be used as an introduction (or review) of the basic molecule classes found in foods.
Global Water Distribution
This interactive infographic is well-suited to an anticipation guide or conversation where students estimate amounts and types of water available on the Ocean Planet. Also includes a data table that students could use in a graphing/modeling exercise.
Sagan Series - The Humans
An excellent, short video clip narrated by Carl Sagan about humans. Discusses human history, technology and development, and gives a look at humans from the cosmic perspective. Good for hooking, closing, or just giving perspective to the class.
Creationism and Evolution
Infographic based on 2012 Gallup Poll survey about Creationism and Evolution views related to education, political party, and church attendance.
Selected others (5)
LiveBinders
LiveBinders is an excellent online resource for finding, gathering, and organizing online resources. Accounts are free, and provide access to a plethora of online collections for every subject and grade level -- and even outside academia. A great resource for teachers who don't have time to re-invent the wheel or seek what has already been found.
Google Docs
Students will use Google Docs to collect class data and allow collaboration between group members. Google Docs will also used for producing mini-reports for Project J.
Educate WV Project-Based Learning Directory
A resource for teachers looking for project-based learning resources in the sciences. Provides handouts, rubrics, lesson and project activities, all aligned with standards.
Survey Monkey
Allows simple formative or summative assessment and familiarized students with computer-based questions.
Create-a-Graph
Browser-based graphing utility that allows students to quickly and easily produce and share report-quality graphs.